Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
outlet of Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains (this and previous photo)
larva, Saguaro NP East
A large and distinctive butterfly, this species is widespread at lower elevations throughout the American southwest.
It is similar to other dark swallowtails (especially the Black Swallowtail), but can be identified by the single row of pale spots on the upper surface of the hindwings and single row of orange spots on their undersides - neither is show very clearly in these photos of quite a worn individual.
It is similar to other dark swallowtails (especially the Black Swallowtail), but can be identified by the single row of pale spots on the upper surface of the hindwings and single row of orange spots on their undersides - neither is show very clearly in these photos of quite a worn individual.
Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
Sabino Canyon, Santa Catalina Mountains
A pretty, little Lycaenid found throughout Arizona (although, like many species, it avoids the extremely arid far southwest) the Spring Azure is a species of moist areas, where it avidly flits around the edge of seeps and puddles.
The Spring Azure can be identified by its very pale, faintly-spotted underwings. The underwings also have a single band of grey V-shapes that point towards the body. The upperwings are seldom seen well, as the species rests with wings closed, but they are a rich blue, with females having broad, black tips. In many ways, the species is very similar to the European Holly Blue (C.argiolus). The common name of Spring Azure is a misnomer in Arizona - the species can be seen on the wing in any month.
The Spring Azure can be identified by its very pale, faintly-spotted underwings. The underwings also have a single band of grey V-shapes that point towards the body. The upperwings are seldom seen well, as the species rests with wings closed, but they are a rich blue, with females having broad, black tips. In many ways, the species is very similar to the European Holly Blue (C.argiolus). The common name of Spring Azure is a misnomer in Arizona - the species can be seen on the wing in any month.
Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)
Sabino Canyon, Santa Catalina Mountains
Saguaro NP West
Found throughout Arizona, this little species can be recognised by the strong, brown and white banded pattern on the underwings. It can often be found near mesquite and other legume species (see second photo), on which its larvae feed.
Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacina)
base of Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains (both photos) The Bordered Patch is a variable species but can be recognised by the overall black-brown colour with a prominent white (or orange) band across the centre of both pairs of wings. The animal shown here has almost no orange, just a spot at the base of the hindwings, but in some individuals almost the whole central band can be orange.
The Bordered Patch occurs across much of Arizona, apart from the northeast and is a low-elevation, desert species.
The Bordered Patch occurs across much of Arizona, apart from the northeast and is a low-elevation, desert species.
Tiny Checkerspot (Dymasia dymas)
Catalina State Park
Saguaro NP West
The white rectangle on the leading edge of the forewings makes this little species easy to identify (the otherwise similar Elada Checkerspot lacks this feature).
The Tiny Checkerspot is a desert species and can be seen in any months of the year. In Arizona, it can be seen in much of the southern half of the state.
The Tiny Checkerspot is a desert species and can be seen in any months of the year. In Arizona, it can be seen in much of the southern half of the state.
Texan Crescent (Athanassa texana)
Miller Canyon, Huachuca Mountains (both photos)
Known in some older references as Phyciodes texana, this attractive species is restricted to southern Arizona, although it has a very wide range nationally, from California to Florida and ranges far south in Central America.
Key features for recognising this species are the black and white upperwings and the rounded indentation towards the rear of the forewings.
Sabino Canyon, Santa Catalina Mountains
Key features for recognising this species are the black and white upperwings and the rounded indentation towards the rear of the forewings.
Sabino Canyon, Santa Catalina Mountains
Mylitta Crescent (Phyciodes mylitta)
Miller Canyon, Huachuca Mountains
The orange Crescents are a similar and potentially confusing group of species oten found in streamside habitats.
The Mylitta Crescent can be seen across much of Arizona (and other southwestern states), emerging in late winter/early spring. It can be recognised by the orange (rather than black wingbases) but other characters are variable. The individual shown here is a rather orange form, which looks very similar to the Pale Crescent (P.pallida). Range helps here with identification - pallida is absent from southern Arizona.
The Mylitta Crescent can be seen across much of Arizona (and other southwestern states), emerging in late winter/early spring. It can be recognised by the orange (rather than black wingbases) but other characters are variable. The individual shown here is a rather orange form, which looks very similar to the Pale Crescent (P.pallida). Range helps here with identification - pallida is absent from southern Arizona.
American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Sabino Canyon, Santa Catalina Mountains
Named for the unusual, very long palps which help to camouflage it is a leaf, the Snot is a widespread butterfly in the American southwest. The 'snout' along with the narrow, scalloped forewings make it very easy to recognise. It is the only North American member of the Libytheinae, and can be seen as far afield as South America.
Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
Miller Canyon, Huachuca Mountains
It's a poor photo, but the only one I have managed to get of this widespread species. It is a large butterfly, common by watercourses, where its larvae feed on willows and aspen.
Identifying the Mourning Cloak is easy - the overall purplish-black colour is broken by a pale yellow band along the jagged trailing edge of all wings. Inside this band are iridescent blue spots.
Identifying the Mourning Cloak is easy - the overall purplish-black colour is broken by a pale yellow band along the jagged trailing edge of all wings. Inside this band are iridescent blue spots.
West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella)
Saguaro NP East
The shape of the orange patches on the forewings is useful for distinguishing this widespread species. The band of spots on the upper surface of the hindwings also has conspicuous blue centres (only just visible in this photo) - that of the American Lady has some pure black spots and wings have a more solidly orange and black colouration.
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
Sabino Canyon, Santa Catalina Mountains
An extremely widespread butterfly worldwide, the Red Admiral's striking colouration makes it unmistakable when seen. It occurs over most of Arizona, often near runnng water.
Empress Leilia (Asterocampa leilia)
Agua Caliente Park, Tucson (both photos)
underside detail, Saguaro NP West
This pretty, desert species emerges in late winter and is a common sight in the Sonoran Desert. It is similar to its cousin, the Hackberry Emperor, but can be distinguihsed by the two prominent, dark brown rectangles near the base of the forewings. When the underwings are seen (last photo), there is an obvious white rectangle between the two dark brown ones, and the eye spots all have blue centres.
Sabino Canyon, Santa Catalina Mountains
Sabino Canyon, Santa Catalina Mountains
Short-tailed Skipper (Zestusa dorus)
Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains
Mt Lemmon, Santa Catalina Mountains
The distinctive pattern of spots makes this species an easy one to identify - the leading edge of the firewings has a patch of three small, white rectangular spots and a curved band of three gold ones closer to the body. Further back from this is a group of four (or two, larged ones divided, depending on how you see it!) gold spots, all on a tawny-coppery brown background. The short tail (abdomen) that gives the species its common name can only be seen with a good side view (visible in the second photo).
This skipper is a widespread resident of oak woodland in the state.
This skipper is a widespread resident of oak woodland in the state.